Secure enclosure for the storage and rapid retrieval of self-defense weapons

ABSTRACT

A storage enclosure of ample size to contain common firearms within, comprising a box with a door attached to the top of the box with articulating hinges, that latches at the bottom of the box. A latch release mechanism at the bottom of the box, with a release bar on the exterior of the bottom of the box, which when pressed inward, releases the latches and allows the door to open unassisted by the user via the force of compression springs. Within the interior of the storage enclosure are slatted attachment structures—both on the interior of the box and the interior of the door—to which a vast array of self-defense weapons can be mounted with retaining devices of various type (hooks, pegs, etc.). To the storage enclosure assembly is attached cladding elements—legs, panels, fascia—to make a bed headboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates structures that provide an enclosure with adequate interior volume to store most common long guns and smaller weapons, the interior of which contain attachment structures to which most types of personal weapons can be mounted securely, having a door which opens, unassisted by the user, by the simple pushing action of a release mechanism. Upon the opening of the structure, the user then has available within arm's reach a weapon of choice for defensive purposes, which the user has previously placed in a convenient position of their choosing. The illustrated structure is a bed headboard with an enclosure therein, but it is contemplated that that the present innovation is not limited to only headboards or furniture. Instead, the present innovation can be incorporated into any vertical structure wherein a person can activate the release mechanism and quickly access the contents.

Responsible gun owners want to store their guns in a secure yet easily accessible location, for example so that their defensive weapon is quickly available for home and personal defense. One example is where a person may want to access their weapon during the hours they are sleeping in their bed, to defend themselves against an intruder in their house. However, in addition to the darkness of the nighttime environment, and the anxiety and stress placed upon the person awakened by an intruder, it is very difficult to traverse quickly to the location of a stored weapon, remove it from its secure location, and make it ready for use, all without alerting the intruder to their presence and location.

A nearby enclosure is desired for the secure storage and rapid retrieval of defense weapons without the need to change locations, an enclosure that is specifically configured for the secure storage and rapid retrieval of most types of personal weapons.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, a storage enclosure specifically configured to securely store weapons, having a door which opens unassisted by means of compression springs upon the activation of a latch release mechanism by a release bar, which places a weapon within arm's reach of the user, which is positioned in a way that makes retrieval ergonomically comfortable and expedient.

In a narrower aspect, the present invention includes providing elements to make a headboard which conceals the enclosure defined above, and having the means to attach to it a bed frame and mattress. The storage enclosure and release mechanism is positioned in such a way that a person lying on the mattress is able to reach up and push on the release bar without significantly changing their position, allowing the door to move to the open position, allowing access to a weapon comfortably within arm's reach.

In another aspect of the present invention, a storage enclosure provides hidden storage of an article but quick access to the article. The storage enclosure comprises a box defining a hidden storage compartment, a small volume of which is occupied by a latch release mechanism, all of which is covered with a door. The exterior of the door clad with a mirror, painting, sign, graphic artwork, or photograph. The release mechanism concealed by the door releases the door by mechanical, electro-mechanical, or electrical means. Upon the unassisted opening of the door by spring action, the hidden compartment is accessible from which to retrieve the desired article.

An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and secure storage location that does not detract from a room's appearance and aesthetics.

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage location that is difficult for an intruder or other unauthorized person to find unless they are familiar with the storage location, and furthermore to make it very difficult to access even if the location is discovered.

An object of the present invention is to provide hidden storage for self-defense weapons or where the weapon is quickly and immediately available to a person sleeping or lying on a bed, or standing next to the hidden storage enclosure.

These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specifications, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show isometric views of the storage enclosure, without the door so that the interior may be viewed clearly. FIG. 2 further shows an attachment structure on the interior of the storage enclosure.

FIG. 3 shows the same isometric view and orientation of the storage enclosure as FIGS. 1 and 2, further including the door in the open position.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the storage enclosure looking from the right side showing the position of a lock. The left faces outward toward the room.

FIG. 5 shows a slatted attachment structure with no perforations.

FIG. 6 shows a slatted attachment structure with perforations.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the storage enclosure, further showing the door in the open position, with an attachment structure on the interior of the enclosure and position of high-intensity lights on the edge of the door.

FIG. 8 shows the storage enclosure with an attachment structure and several types of self-defense weapons secured to the attachment structure by several types of retaining devices.

FIG. 9 shows a view looking up from below the interior of the open door and attachment structure, with a retaining device (holster) used to secure a self-defense weapon.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the components and how they relate to each other, from the right side. Detailed are a hook and peg type retaining device mounted to the attachment structure inside the storage enclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of the latch release mechanism with levers mounted to a shaft and the release bar as the means by which the latch(es) are moved.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the latch release mechanism with gears mounted to a shaft and the release bar as the means by which the latch(es) are moved.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section of the latch release mechanism with a gear mounted to a shaft and a chain mounted between the release bar and the latch(es) as the means by which the latch(es) are moved.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of the latch release mechanism with an electrical solenoid connected to a lever mounted on a shaft as the means by which the latch(es) are moved. In this arrangement, a release bar is not used.

FIG. 15 shows a complete enclosure assembly and cladding elements in an isometric exploded view.

FIG. 16 shows the bed headboard assembly with the cladding elements attached to the storage enclosure.

FIG. 17 shows the headboard assembly in use, showing how a user pushes the activation bar to release the door.

FIG. 18 shows the headboard assembly in use, showing how the user reaches up and retrieves a weapon from the attachment structure on the interior of the open door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the best mode, the present apparatus 50 (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 10, 15) forms a storage enclosure for the containment and rapid retrieval of self-defense weapons 76 secured to attachment structures 61 with retaining devices 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 (FIGS. 8, 9, 10). A release bar 57 operates a latch release mechanism 59 (FIGS. 1, 10) thus retracting the latch(es) 58, allowing the compression spring(s) 66 to pivot the door 64 to an open position by hinge(s) 65 without additional assistance. When the door 64 is in the closed position, a lock 60 prevents operation of the latch release mechanism 59.

Attachment structures 61 (FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10) located on the interior of the door 64 and the storage enclosure 51 provide locations to which retaining devices 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 can be attached, providing securement of self-defense weapons 76 (illustrated are various firearm types, however a user may elect to employ alternate weapon types). The attachment structures 61 are of ample size to provide a multitude of mounting locations and options to the user, who may place a self defense weapon 76 in a location that best suits their preference.

FIG. 15 shows storage enclosure assembly 50 are clad with legs 82 and 83 (left and right), panels 84 and fascia 85. The totality of the cladding elements 82-85 and the storage enclosure assembly 50 form a bed headboard assembly 86 (FIG. 16) to which a bed frame 87 is attached, upon which a mattress 88 is placed. The bed headboard assembly 86 (FIG. 16) has the appearance of a typical headboard.

FIG. 17 shows the operation of the release bar 57 by a user in a lying position on the mattress 88. The release bar 57 is within easy reach, as is the interior of the door 64 and a self-defense weapon 76 which the user has placed on an attachment structure 61 in a location and position known to them. With very little practice, the average person can go from a lying position on the mattress 88, depress the release bar 57 and retrieve a self-defense weapon 76 and have it positioned to use in approximately two seconds. They can do this series of actions without moving from a lying position. Similarly, the average person can also depress the release bar 57 and retrieve a weapon 76 from a standing position next to the bed headboard 86 in an equal amount of time.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of the storage enclosure assembly 50, indicating the location of the latch release mechanism 59. Depressing the release bar 57 into the latch release mechanism 59 causes the latch(es) 58 to slide into the latch release mechanism. FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate different means by which this occurs. FIG. 11 shows a system whereby levers 78 are mounted to a shaft 77 around which the system rotates when the release bar 57 is depressed. Similarly, FIG. 12 shows the use of gears 79 to achieve the same action, and FIG. 13 shows the use of a gear 79 and chain 80 to achieve the same action, and FIG. 14 shows an electrically-activated solenoid 81 to achieve the same action. FIG. 14 shows that the door 64 can be opened without the use of a release bar 57, but by electrical means.

FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate the location of high-intensity light(s) 67 which illuminate upon opening of the door 64. The lights 67 illuminate the room in the event of an incident when it is dark, and the user is positioned advantageously behind the lights 67 while a threat to the user is in all likelihood positioned in front of the lights 67 and possibly disoriented or temporarily blinded by the sudden appearance of high-intensity lights 67.

It is contemplated that the storage enclosure assembly 50 can be modified to different dimensions and utilized in different arrangements and configurations. For example, the storage enclosure assembly 50 can be mounted within a wall recess rather than having cladding, and the panel affixed to the door 64 can be comprised from an element of the group comprising a mirror, photograph, graphic artwork, sign, or painting. The door 64 can be opened remotely by electrical means when the release bar 57 is not used in this configuration.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage enclosure of ample size to contain common firearms within, comprising: a box comprising a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a back, and a front, the front comprising a door attached to the top of the box by at least one hinge and removably attached to the bottom of the box by a latch for securing the door in a closed position, wherein the box has an interior and an exterior; a latch release mechanism attached to the interior of the bottom of the box, wherein the latch release mechanism comprises a release bar on the exterior of the bottom of the box; at least one lock; at least one compression spring attached between the door and the box; a first attachment structure affixed to the door at the interior of the box; and a second attachment structure affixed to the back at the interior of the box.
 2. The storage enclosure in claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment structures are each comprised of slats.
 3. The storage enclosure in claim 2, wherein the slats include perforations.
 4. The storage enclosure in claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining device selected from the group comprising: hook, peg, strap, cord, loop, holster, scabbard, pouch, bag, shelve and zip tie, the at least one retaining device attached to the first attachment structure.
 5. The storage enclosure in claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining device selected from the group comprising: hook, peg, retention hook, strap, cord, loop, holster, scabbard, pouch, bag, shelve and zip tie, the at least one retaining device attached to the second attachment structure.
 6. The storage enclosure in claim 1, wherein the latch release mechanism further comprises an internal electrical solenoid, cable, lever, shaft, chain or gears.
 7. The storage enclosure of claim 1, wherein the storage enclosure further comprises at least one separate element clad onto the exterior of the box, thus concealing the storage enclosure.
 8. The storage enclosure of claim 7, wherein the separate elements are selected from the group comprising panels, legs and fascia.
 9. The storage enclosure of claim 7, wherein the separate elements are comprised of a leg attached to the left side of the box on the exterior of the box, a leg attached to the right side of the box on the exterior of the box, a decorative panel attached to the door on the exterior of the box, a decorative panel attached to the release bar, and a decorative fascia attached to the top on the exterior of the box.
 10. The storage enclosure of claim 1, wherein the door comprises at least one high-intensity light.
 11. The storage enclosure of claim 8, wherein the separate elements are comprised of materials selected from the group comprising wood, wood composites, plastic, metal, fabric, and leather.
 12. The storage enclosure defined in claim 7, wherein the enclosure and cladding elements in their totality form a bed headboard assembly.
 13. The headboard assembly in claim 7, wherein the headboard assembly is attached to a bed frame, upon which at least one mattress is placed. 